FORMER TRUSTEE - Dr. Porter E. Barbera, retired Independence physician and former member of the ICC Board of Trustees, died Feb.12 in St. John’s Medical Center, Tulsa, Okla. He was 82 years old.

POPULAR - Maya Tuylieva, ICC music student from Turkmenistan, was pictured on the front page of the Independence Daily Reporter Feb. 27. A concert pianist , she will be accompanist for the ICC Theatre Department presentation of "Little Mary Sunshine" tonight, Friday and Saturday. She also will be a guest Friday at the noon meeting of the Independence Rotary Club. Her sister, Aysenem, was a student at ICC last year.

VOLUNTEERS - The Independence Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to work during the Kansas Sample Festival scheduled May 4 and 5 at Riverside Park. Contact the chamber at 331-1890.

RESIGNS - Chris Kastler, has resigned as superintendent of Caney Valley Schools to become assistant superintendent for the Labette County School District.

HONORED - Two members of the ICC Bluenote Band performed last month with the Intercollegiate Honor Band during the Kansas Music Educators Association convention last month. Honored were ICC trombonist Leo Rexwinkle and euphoniumist Masayo Ueta.

TRIO DAY - Some 100 students from the Federal Grant Program’s Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services participated in a special TRIO Day Feb. 23 at ICC.

KEYBOARDING COMPETITION is underway as Erica Ellis, Thayer, concentrates on her work. ICC Instructor Luis Juarbe, and ICC sophomore Amanda McClarenare helping administer the competition. (Buccaneer Photo by Trish JuAire)

By Trish JuAire, Buccaneer Editor

The students showed their skills in a wide range of areas including writing poems, plays, and news stories; tests in math, science, history, computer skills, and spelling; painting, drawing, acting, and drafting.

Some contests were reinstated for the students this year. These were toy design, box/picnic lunch, table arrangement, and playwriting. A few categories were included for the first time. These were floral arrangement, signs of freedom, which had the students showing off their knowledge of U.S. landmarks that represent freedom, process controls, which was a five-minute presentation identifying the parts and purposes of a variable data control chart, and German. Also for the first time, vocabulary and spelling were given as separate contests.

Official results were not available on Wednesday from competition organizers Kay Ackerson and Janice Weir, but the unofficial results are listed here. These are in no particular order. The student’s name and high school are listed after the placing and name of the event.

Editorials: 1. Daniel McNeil, Wellington. 2. Cathy Reid, Columbus. 3. Helena Newberry, Wellington. 4. Brett Bruner, Marmaton Valley; fifth – Holly Hollenbeck, Neodesha.

Feature Stories: 1. Jason Shaad, Derby. 2. Alisha Pressnall, Ark. City. 3. Noel Dotterer, Neodesha. 4. Nicole Ryman. 5. Anna Schrader, Elk Valley.

News Stories: 1. Cassandra McGowan, Ark. City. 2. Alisha Presnall, Ark. City. 3. Matthew Opliger, Valley Center. 4. Adriene Similton, Derby. 5. Jason Shaad, Derby.

Columns: 1. Daniel McNeil, Wellington. 2. Holly Hollenbeck, Neodesha. 3. Jennifer Rainey, Columbus. 4. Dayne Curry, Valley Center. 5. Jason Wright, Columbus.

News Photo: 1. Martha Arbuckle, West Elk.

Sports Stories: 1. Toni Zink, Ark. City. 2. Jason Shaad, Derby. 3. Tara Vanderpool, Ark. City. 4. Daniel McNeil, Wellington. 5. Adriene Similton, Derby.

Sports Photo: 1. Josie Ireland, West Elk;. 2. Zeek Jones, Cherryvale. 3. Tara Vanderpool, Ark. City. 4. Jessica Pond, Erie. 5. Ryan Nutter, Valley Center.

Feature Photo: 1. Jessica Pond, Erie. 2. Brian King, West Elk. 3. Amy Wagoner, Cherryvale. 4. Rachel Avila, Valley Center.

Photo Layout: 1. Katie Blaes, Cherryvale. 2. Jessica Pond, Erie.

Ms. Future Business Employee: 1. Brittney Eubanks, Oklahoma Union. 2. Jennifer Kennedy, Arkansas City. 3. Julie Zellner, Uniontown. 4. Melissa McCoy, Cherryvale. 5. Keri Olinger, Thayer.

Mr. Future Business Employee: 1. Cody Vitt, Erie. 2. Nick Caton, Uniontown. 3. Matt Soule, Arkansas City. 4. Joseph Burris, Caney Valley.

Spelling: 1. Jacque Horton, Sedan. 2. Traci Kuras, Burlington. 3. Cynthia Fuqua, Caney Valley. 4. LeeAnne Carver, Central. 5. Sarah Schaper, Independence Bible School.

Vocabulary: 1. Ryan Hoffman, Iola. 2. Ashley Hatch, Gridley. 3. Geoff Abegg, Arkansas City. 4. Morgan Trimble, Gridley. 5. Seth Feist, Columbus.

Duet Acting: 1. Erica Gilmore and John Higginbotham, Iola. 2. Paige McCord and Chad Wyckoff, Arkansas City. 3. Shona Webber and Michelle Shobe, Cherryvale. 4. Marissa Fritzmeyer and Joe David Davolt, Independence Bible School. 5. Brett Bruner and Kara Bolling, Marmaton Valley.

German: 1. Nora Thiessen, Iola. 2. Brian Watkins, Independence. 3. Lyle Parnell, Fredonia.

French II: 1. Erin Webb, Arkansas City. 2. Susanne Elliot, Tyro Christian School. 3. Josh Gilbreath, Oswego. 4. Tiffanie Riebel, Iola.

First Aid: 1. Bryan Johnson, Iola. 2. (tie) – Sarah Wilson, Pittsburg and Nicholas Gill, Iola. 3. Tyler Lowden, Independence. 4. Jennifer Ballard, Arkansas City. 5. (tie) – Stephanie McKinney, Erie, Samantha Jiminez, Wellington, and Frannie Hughes, Erie.

Chemistry: 1. Phil Walters, Erie. 2. Bryon Rosine, Lebo. 3. Darrell Williams, Oswego. 4. Kevin Cooper, Wellington, Chris Landrum, Independence.

Machine Transcription: 1. Kirbie Truitt, Neodesha. 2. Tisha Muller, Marmaton Valley.

U.S. History 1820-1990: 1. Daniel McNeil, Wellington. 2. Clarice Buscher, Erie. 3. Ivan Gillette, Neodesha. 4. (tie) Cody Polles, Oklahoma Union, and Alex Thompson, Neodesha. 5. Dallas Ripper, Uniontown.

Pre-Calculus Math: 1. Luke Schaper, Independence Bible School. 2. Josh Gier, Uniontown. 3. Justin Simmons, Burlington. 4. Aaron Befort, Burlington. 5. Shannon Timmons, Fredonia.

New Testament History: 1. Brian Watkins, Independence. 2. Geoff Abegg, Arkansas City. 3. Tabitha Walker, Arkansas City. 4. Joe Davolt, Independence Bible School. 5. Paul Wedekind, Independence Bible School.

Intro to Sociology: 1. Amanda Folk, Iola. 2. Jon Scott, Arkansas City. 3. Amanda Thompson, Iola. 4. Daniel Didion, Arkansas City. 5. Scooter Trollope, Oswego.

Spanish II: 1. Vallrie Brown, Arkansas City. 2. Bethany Powers, Thayer. 3. Rye Addis, Oswego. 4. Megan Hizey, Erie. 5. Shelly Countryman, Wellington.

Business Law:1.Hollie Brown, Cherryvale. 2. Lisa Roberts, Arkansas City. 3. Chris Metzinger, Arkansas City. 4. Chandra Heiman, Neodesha. 5. Andrea Porter, Neodesha.

Basic Algebra: 1. David Hutchison, Independence Bible School. 2. Sarah Schaper, I. B. S. 3. J. R. Smith, Burlington. 4. Megan Mann, Uniontown. 5. Teresa Kuehn, Oklahoma Union.

Spanish I: 1. Jon Scott, Arkansas City. 2. Cardairo Hansen, Central. 3. Joe Davolt, I.B.S.; fourth – Jesse Niebaum, Pittsburg; fifth – KiLane Cranmer, Fredonia.

Biology: 1. Chris Metzinger, Arkansas City. 2. Morgan Trimble, Gridley. 3. Andrew Monfort, Iola. 4. Teren Culbertson, Arkansas City. 5. Doreen Arnold, Leroy.

Floral Arrangement: 1. Jackie Haas, Arkansas City. 2. Amanda Folk, Iola. 3. Cara Spriggs, Oswego. 4. Kristie Magnus, Arkansas City. 5. Erin Monfort, Iola.

Human Development: 1. Emily Bushyhead, Arkansas City. 2. Doreen Arnold, Leroy. 3. Amber Boehner, Oswego. 4. Courtney Roach, Arkansas City. 5. Hannah Hayward, Oswego.

Basic English: 1. Justin Ohmie, Iola. 2. Bobby Clarkson, Erie. 3. Mary Bagot, Arkansas City. 4. Brett Bruner, Marmaton Valley. 5. (tie) Ashley Hatch, Gridley and Holly Beaty, Arkansas City.

Painting: 1. Beth Young, Wellington. 2. Jennie Dold, Fredonia. 3. Andy White, Altoona-Midway. 4. Monica Bowman, Columbus. 5. Danielle Murray, Iola.

Drawing (Not Pencil): 1. Jason Roe, Iola. 2. Gerard Wellemeyer, Derby. 3. Lacy Westervett, Columbus. 4. Waldo Hernandez, Caney Valley. 5. Aimee Dombo, Derby.

American Presidency: 1. Russell Lowden, Arkansas City. 2. Dallas Ripper, Uniontown. 3. James Swanson, Arkansas City. 4. Mark Worcester, Elk Valley. 5. Amy Nading, Oswego.

Computing I: 1. Alex Thompson, Neodesha. 2. Justin Simons, Burlington. 3. Brad Denton, Arkansas City. 4. Matt Williams, Iola. 5. Josh Wittman, Burlington.

Drawing (Pencil Only): 1. Dao Chanthameuth, Derby. 2. Aimee Dombo, Derby. 3. Matt Bohn. 4. Lacy Westervett, Columbus. 5. Jason Roe, Iola.

3-Dimensional Art: 1. Tamera Worman, Derby. 2. Pilar Harshman, Neodesha. 3. Ryan Carpenter, Neodesha. 4. Tosha Lukens-Meyer, Caney Valley. 5. Josh Gilreath, Oswego.

2-Dimensional Art: 1. Gerard Wellemeyer, Derby. 2. Franziska Funke, Winfield. 3. Maggie Churning, Oswego. 4. Chelsy Mantooth, Caney Valley. 5. Jessica Devoe, Marmaton Valley.

Signs of Freedom: 1. Ryan Hoffman, Iola. 2. Mitch Spainhoward, Uniontown.3. Russell Lowden, Arkansas City. 4. Phillip Russell, Uniontown.5. Robert Fecke, Neodesha.

Parliamentary Procedures: 1. Emily Schmeidler, Arkansas City. 2. Kasie Bogart, Ark. City. 3. Katie Morris, Ark. City. 4. Clint Blaes, Cherryvale. 5 Chandra Heiman, Neodesha.

Web Page Layout and Design: 1. Cooper Thompson, Ark. City. 2. Holly Dobbs, Ark. City. 3. Robert Ellis, Uniontown. 4. Sarah West, Uniontown.

World Regional Geography: 1. Connie Bucher, Ark. City and Daniel McNeil, Wellington. 2. Alex Thompson, Neodesha. 3. Robert Goodrich, Independence Bible School. 4. Jeremy Rios, Oswego. 5. Glenn Johnson, Uniontown.

Music History: 1. Alicia VanGilder, Ark.City. 2. Jennifer Ballard, Ark. City. 3. Mary Bagot, Ark. City. 4. Nathan Gill, Iola. 5. (tie) Matt Willems and Bryan Johnson, Iola.

Table Arrangement: 1. (tie) – Cori Cameron and Brittany Thomas, Oswego. 2. Michelle Tholen, Marmaton Valley. 3. Allison Jarvis, West Elk. 4. Erin Monfort, Iola. 5. Josie Ireland, West Elk and Brette Sager, Marmaton Valley.

Sonnets: 1. Nathan Mentzer, Iola. 2. Elaine Turner, Iola. 3. Meghan Stoddard, Tyro-Christian. 4. Trenton Franklin, Oswego.

French I: 1. Cassie Hoppas, Erie. 2. Johnathan Maslen, Ark. City. 3. Adam Russell, Wellington. 4. Jerrid Dolenz, Iola.

Lyric Poems: 1. (tie) Caleb Jones, Oswego, and Anna Schrader, Elk Valley. 2. Alicia Triplett, Central. 3. Ellen Heather, Tyro-Christian. 4. Jennifer Rainey, Columbus. 5. Lorena Leck, Thayer.

Long Poems: 1. Gary Reeder, Iola. 2. Jessica McMillan, Sedan. 3. Jeremiah Allan, Sedan. 4. Clay Calhoun, Tyro-Christian. 5. Cathy Reid, Columbus.

Informative Speaking: 1. Brett Bruner, Marmaton Valley. 2. Chandra Heiman, Neodesha. 3. Antionette Abington, Ark. City. 4. Madison Hamilton, Tyro-Christian. 5. Hollie Brown, Cherryvale.

Playwriting: 1. Brittany Schultz. 2. Joslyn Buck. 3. Kati Cook. All were from Tyro-Christian.

Physics: 1. Brett McLean, Iola. 2. Ivan Gillette, Neodesha. 3. Titus Weller, Fredonia. 4. Justin Ohmie, Iola. 5. Josh Gier, Uniontown.

Radio Speaking: 1. Leah Mattix, Cherryvale. 2. Daniel Shepard, Independence. 3. Aimee Doncouse, Cherryvale. 4. Clay Calhoun, Tyro-Christian. 5. D. Matthew Goddyear, Tyro- Christian.

Persuasive Speaking: 1. Sarah Williams, Pittsburg. 2. Annie Whithill, Central. 3 (tie) Maghan Stoddard, Tyro Christian, and Gina Lardy, Cherryvale. 4. Katie Morris, Ark. City.

Bookkeeping: 1. Lindsay Appelhans, Fredonia. 2. Shelley Keener, Oswego. 3. Amy Fairbank, Independence. 4. Jennifer Kennedy, Ark. City. 5. Brooke Curry, Iola.

Computer Aided Drafting (Mechanical): 1. Christopher Bradley, Derby. 2. Caleb Nichols, Elk Valley. 3. Joshua Belisle, Derby. 4. Eric Ward, Ark. City. 5. Josh Demo, Ark. City.

Computer Aided Drafting (Architectural-Working): 1. Larabeth Thompson, Ark. City. 2. Mark Worcester, Elk Valley. 3. (tie) Stephen Shaw and Jackson Amyasi, Ark. City. 4. Eric Stear, Derby. 5. Marshall Smith, Derby.

Mechanical Drafting I: 1. Mark Neibling, Derby. 2. Greg McDavitt, Derby. 3. Roger Klein, Derby. 4. Nathan Claibourn, Neodesha.

Mechanical Drafting II: 1. Robert Ramsey. 2. Christopher Bower. Both were from Derby.

Pictorial Mechanical Drafting I: 1. Eric Salmon, Derby. 2. Emily White, Derby. 3. Shannon Woolard, Derby. 4. Aaron Carter, Fredonia. 5. Brett Buchanan, Neodesha.

Pictorial Mechanical Drafting II: 1. James Barrientos, Fredonia.

Architectural Drafting Working I: 1. Nicholas Gauna, Derby. 2. Aaron Burns, Columbus. 3. Thomas Hemphill, Derby. 4. Gemma Gough, Derby. 5. Brett Arnold, Derby.

Architectural Drafting Working II: 1. Robert Nelson, Derby. 2. Heath Wilson, Fredonia.

Architectural Drafting Rendered I: 1. Megan Goings, Derby. 2. Brandon Hurley, Derby. 3. Dusty Johnson, Columbus.

Architectural Drafting Rendered II: 1. Paul Ward, Derby. 2. Michael Myers, Sedan. 3. Amy Lynn Heller, Derby. 4. Zach Bilyk, Sedan.

Toy Design and Construction: 1. Melanie Lumley, Sedan. 2. Brittany Decker, West Elk. 3. Heather Wagner, Marmaton Valley. 4. Lynzee Brown, Oswego. 5. Jeremy Davis, Oswego.

Box or Picnic Lunch: 1. Jill Stephenson, Sedan. 2. Hilary Thomas, Oswego. 3. Kandi Taylor, Oswego. 4. Brenda Jordan, Sedan. 5. Erin Monfort, Iola.

Business Communications: 1. Toni Zink, Ark. City. 2. Tiffany Kuras, Burlington. 3. Suzanne Kennedy, Marmaton Valley. 4. Brett Bruner, Marmaton Valley. 5. Lisa Roberts, Ark. City.

Business Math: 1. Sarah Coover, Erie. 2. Justin Ohmie, Iola. 3. J. R. Smith, Burlington. 4. Nathan Combes, Lebo. 5. Bryon Rosine, Lebo.

Office Machines (10-key): 1. Holly Beaty, Ark. City. 2. Alisha Wham, Central. 3. Leah Small, Neodesha. 4. Cami Zumwalt, Thayer. 5. Kayla Stout, Iola.

Office Practice: 1. Jennifer Kennedy, Ark. City. 2. Jessica Allan, Sedan. 3. Brooke Curry, Iola. 4. Alisha Wham, Central. 5. Shelley Keener, Oswego.

Music Theory: 1. Patricia Hudson, Erie. 2. Kari Brooks, Independence. 3. Jenna Boswell, Sedan. 4. Ali Barnwarth, Independence. 5. Jacob Friend, Independence.

Keyboarding I: 1. Elizabeth Darling, Pittsburg. 2. (tie) Jamie Johnston, Uniontown and Linsy McConnell, Cherryvale. 3. Lindsi Fulcher, Ark. City. 4. Bryan Frame, Marmaton Valley. 5. Josh Burt, Neodesha.

Keyboarding II: 1. Trisha Mueller, Marmaton Valley. 2. Erica Ellis, Thayer. 3. Mary Bagot, Ark. City. 4. Laura Allison, Sedan. 5. Nicole Brown, Central.

Word Processing (Concepts and Applications): Ashley Hatch, Gridley. 2. Erica Ellis, Thayer. 3. (tie) Bryan Frame, Marmaton Valley and Shane Younggren, Uniontown. 4. Kayla Stoct, Iola. 5. Cody Deal, Sedan.

General Psychology: 1. Emily Bushyhead, Ark. City. 2. Shane Heiman, Neodesha. 3. Erica Gilmore, Iola. 4. Kayla Burress, Uniontown. 5. Amber Boehner, Oswego.

Haiku: 1. Cori Cameron, Oswego. 2. Sally Tucker, Independence. 3. Jeremy Hanks, Tyro-Christian. 4. Jessica Schomaker, Iola. 5. Trinity Borjas, Iola.

Character Development: 1. Kayliegh Nichols, Independence. 2. Jasmine Pesima, Columbus. 3. Laura Schultz, Tyro Christian. 4. Jenny Robertson, Lebo. 5. Tyler Merz, Ark. City.

Tales With a Twist: 1. Joslyn Buck, Tyro Christian. 2. Jordan Radliff, Independence. 3. Jeremiah Allan, Sedan. 4. Cathy Reid, Columbus. 5. Heather Strahl, Iola.

Filing: 1. Annabel Heim, Ark. City. 2. Kayla Stout, Iola. 3. Erin Webb, Ark. City. 4. Kirbie Truitt, Neodesha. 5. Alisha Wham, Central.

LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE stars Rich Browning, Anne Kaff, Carrie Sanborn, and Brandon Porritt perform tonight Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the William Inge Theatre on campus in the ICC Theatre Department production of Rick Besoyan’s award-winning musical. (Buccaneer Photo)

The ICC Theatre Department’s production of Rick Besoyan’s musical, Little Mary Sunshine, will be presented at 7:30 tonight, Friday and Saturday night in the William Inge Theatre on campus.

Co-directed by ICC instructors Gary Mitchell and Ruth Hanka, the show features Rich Browning, Anne Kaff, Brandon Porritt, and Carrie Sanborn.

Mrs. Hanka shows her operatic talent as Madame Ernestine von Leibedich, while another ICC instructor, David Akins, appears as General Oscar Fairfax.

Maya Tuylieva, ICC freshman from Turkmenistan, handles all the piano accompaniment.

ACTING IN A SCENE from ICC’s production of Little Mary Sunshine are Anne Kaff at Little Mary Sunshine, Rich Browing as Captain Waring, and Ruth Hanka at Madame Ernestine von Leibedich. The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Inge Theatre. (Buccaneer Photo)

Being a journalist is not easy!

Journalists are people who try to inform and report both sides of all news. Without them, most of us would not know the things we should know about our societies and the events around the world that impact us.

Journalism and the freedom it represents, however, is in a big trouble because one journalist, Daniel Pearl of the Wall Street Journal, was kidnapped and killed by Muslim fundamentalists in Pakistan.

. People all over the world are calling that murder an outrage.

The president of United States, George W. Bush, said Americans are sad and angry about Pearl’s death. Pearl’s family issued a statement saying they believed "No human being would have been capable of harming such a gentle soul." His wife, Marian, is going to give birth in about three months to their first child.

Here are some opinions of ICC students about Mr. Pearl’s death:

"I think it is terrible about Daniel Pearl. Those people have no conscience, and our thoughts and prayers should be with his family and friends," said Amy Haley, an ICC sophomore.

Mamiko Kurashima, sophomore from Japan, said "I feel sympathy for him and his family. We lost a journalist who was skillful in the journalism field. I think his death will make a lot of journalist afraid to get the news from outside the country."

"I believe that it is a tragedy for an innocent person to be kidnapped and then killed. His kidnappers did was very cruel. The people who did this must be found and brought to justice," said Gabriel Bonsu, ICC student from Africa.

Trish JuAire, editor of The Buccaneer, said "I think the killing definitely impacts journalism internationally, because it is obvious the kidnappers don’t care about military. They just threatened him and killed him."

"Any time anyone any where is murdered, it impacts each of us because it is wrong," said Ron McIntosh, adviser for The e Buccaneer. "The murder of a journalist compounds the wrong. It is an attack on our way of life and on the one shield of justice we all have in common, the ability to speak out in all causes. Without that ability -- and history confirms it -- we would still be in the dark ages."

George Rogava, an international student from Georgia, formerly a part of the Soviet Union and birthplace of Joseph Stalin, said "The main job of a journalist is to provide fresh and true information to people. While working at hot points they risk their lives. They do so, because they want to get firsthand and reliable information. They want to witness the events themselves, and to report the truth and reality to people. I want to express my deepest sympathy to Daniel Pearl’s family and friends.

"His murder was a cruel. Daniel was a brave person and professional reporter dedicated to his work. The people who took his life should be denounced for this action," Rovoga said.

The security of being a journalist is now unreliable. They are at risk, especially U.S. (American) journalists because of the fight against terrorism.

To keep people up to date about and informed about world events, some journalists have to go in the various fields to get the information. It is risky to report the news about terrorists.

At this moment, we have lost a good reporter named Daniel Pearl.

Now there are a lot of fears about getting and also reporting the information concerning terrorism. That can affect us directly. We simply will not know the news around the world if journalists don’t have the freedom to show the truth of the news.

Eventually, we can only hope to find the way to fight back. To stop would-be kidnappers and killers, and also find those who killed Mr. Pearl.

We are now scared about the journalist’s death because nobody could not believe that the abduction is the action between human being to human being.

We and all America wish his family, friends peace forever. God bless Mr. Pearl.

Other sources: www.cnn.com

NOTE: Writer Gib Jutaporn is an ICC student from Thailand.

Five-week sessions of Aerobics I and Aerobics II will begin this month and continue through April. The classes are noncredit and cost is $25 per student.

Aerobics at the McKinley Center in Cherryvale begins March 12 and runs through April 15. Rebekah Hale, instructor, will conduct the sessions from 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Aerobics II begins March 25 and runs through April 25. This morning course, also instructed by Heidi Delich, is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. Both courses are noncredit and the cost is $25.

"24-Hour Plays" Precede Inge Festival

Christina Fallon, 24-Hour Founder, Will be Here

Performances of the six plays will take place in The William Inge Theatre on the ICC campus.

Christina Fallon, founder of the plays, will travel to Independence to serve as producer for the event. Professionals and amateurs will work together beginning at 10 p.m. the night before the show. A group of 30-50 people, including writers, directors, actors and technical staff will gather at the theatre on Friday night. Each actor will bring one prop and one costume of their own choosing which are then used as inspiration for the writers. For the writers, the rule is that they cannot have plots in mind. Plays are created then and there.

Once the writing begins, the actors and crew go home to get some sleep. The writers have until 6 a.m. the next morning to finish their plays – whether slapstick comedy or introspective drama. Scripts are photocopied and each director then votes for the three plays he or she would most like to direct.

Ms. Fallon tries to oblige with at least one play. Roles are then cast by her. "You put the Polaroids of the writer, the director and the actors for each play in a pile," she said. She describes the process as something like "trading baseball cards." After that, the writers go home for their rest and rehearsals begin.

While the whole idea may sound like a catalyst for chaos, there are rules. There is no improvisation. Actors must stick to the script. Every play must be performed. Actors may be cast in more than one play, but will only have a major speaking part in one.

At 5:30 p.m., each play gets a 15-minute technical rehearsal onstage. "There is no such thing as five more minutes," says Fallon. Programs are printed at 7 p.m. The doors open at 7:30 and the lights go down in the theatre at 8 p.m.

Since its inception in 1995, "The 24 Hour Plays" have produced more than 200 new short plays in this manner. Audiences have enjoyed these fresh productions in cities all over the country including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

"Because the show is being ‘born’ right before their eyes, the audience feels more like a participant," says Fallon. "Since this is the first and last time these plays will ever be performed, it’s the most live experience you can have."

Tickets for "The 24 Hour Plays" are $5 and are on sale now. Those interested in purchasing tickets for the plays or for The William Inge Theatre Festival (April 17-20) should call the Inge Festival office; Independence Community College at 620-331-4100 or 800-842-6063, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information. After hours, call 620-331-7768.

Gary Mitchell, ICC theater and English instructor, joined the Fredonia Girl Scouts Feb. 22 in honor of "Thinking Day," a nationwide Girl Scout event to promote thinking about cultural differences.

Mr. Mitchell talked to the girl scouts about his Peace Corps days in Fiji, explaining that there was a significant lack of books there for young people.

To help Mr. Mitchell, the Fredonia scouts collected books and presented them to him. He will forward the books, and books contributed from ICC’s Phi Theta Kappa book drive, to Fiji, where they will be placed in the library named in Mr. Mitchell’s honor. The book drive is an on-going project that he promotes annually.

Mr. Mitchell also discussed various aspects of living in Fiji. He answered questions from the scouts about food, clothing, music, even politics. The girls were also treated to a history of Fiji, a description of the landscape and life-styles of the natives, along with information about how Fijians make a living.

Heather Caouette, Caney, and Leo Rexwinkle, Coffeyville, have been named recipients of the Lloyd Mordy Band Scholarship awards for 2002 at ICC.

The scholarship award recipients, according to Dr. Dan Frizane, ICC instrumental music instructor, are music majors and members of the ICC Bluenote Band.

Heather, a clarinetist, is the daughter of Wilfred and Pauline Caouette of Caney. Leo, a trombone player, is the son of Steve and LeAnn Rexwinkle of Coffeyville.

According to Dr. Frizane, both students are outstanding instrumentalists, performing major works in recitals on the ICC campus, and are leaders in the different sections of the Bluenote Band. Both are pursuing careers in music education.

"The scholarship recipients are preparing solos that will be featured with the Bluenote Band this spring," said Dr. Frizane. "Both of these talented students have been active in their respective high school bands, performing various solos, in ensembles, as well as in the whole band. High school directors Michelle Wright, Caney, and Marilynn O’Shields, Coffeyville, should be recognized for their influence on these students."

The Lloyd Mordy Band Scholarship was established by the late Lloyd Mordy and his wife Hazel to encourage talented music students to be active members of the ICC Bluenote Band. Mr. Mordy was conductor of the Independence High School and ICC bands for more than 20 years and was the composer of the College Song "Dear ICC."

By Trish JuAire, Buccaneer Editor

Looking for a Para-legal class? How about a real estate or appraisal class? You’re in luck. Alethea Cook, Extended Instruction Coordinator, has been busy checking about getting these classes at ICC.

Mrs. Cook lives in Independence with her husband, who works for Schwan’s and is a 10 year veteran police officer, and their 6-year-old twin sons. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from Buena Vista University in Iowa. She earned her master’s degree from Iowa State Univ. in education, specializing in learning leadership and community college administration.

Mrs. Cook is very busy trying to fulfill the needs and wants of the students at ICC and in the service areas where ICC classes are offered. If a class is needed or if there is a class listed in the catalog, but not offered, students can contact her and she will see what can be done to arrange the class. This entails finding an instructor qualified to teach the class and finding enough students to make the class.

PIANIST Maya Tuylieva, ICC freshman from Turkmenistan, handles all the piano accompaniment the ICC Theatre Production tonight, Friday and Saturday of Little Mary Sunshine.

Finding students and instructors involves a lot of "word of mouth" and some advertising. Mrs. Cook uses the student email a lot as a way to keep students apprised of what is going on. With mid-semester classes beginning, now is a good time to check the ICC website or student email for schedules. At times, job openings will be listed on the web page, as well as advertising in area papers.

Right now there is a survey being mailed throughout the area requesting input about some of the classes being looked into. If you have access to a survey, please fill it out and return it to Mrs. Cook at your earliest convenience. Along with Para-legal and real estate classes, the college is checking to see if there is enough interest in floral design and culinary classes. Arts and crafts, such as scrap-booking, are some other areas being looked into for adding classes.

Copyright 2002 / Independence Community College